I went to Boston this past weekend with my family because my boys were putting on a concert with some Boston kids. The concert was actually in Cambridge, and thank goodness, during the daytime, because if I'd had to drive into there in the evening, we might have tossed the kids from the car and come back 3 hours later when they were done playing. What is up with this place and parking? It's not like I'm not used to city driving-hello-I'm from Philadelphia. I've been to New York City and Washington DC. Those places at least have some semblance of sanity in their traffic patterns and parking facilities.
If you dizzy easily, do not go to Boston. For some inexplicable reason, the city planners thought it would be fun for people to drive around in circles. Every corner has not just stop lights, but stop lights with arrows pointing left, and arrows pointing right, and two lines which would usually indicate where one stops and waits for the light, but were we supposed to stop at the first line or the second?
Then there's the parking. Cambridge is home to Harvard University, and has all the-ahem-charm of a college town, plus all the insanity of a major city, plus rows and rows of tightly packed residential streets. Every street we turned down was lined with signs telling us that we could not park without a permit. Some meters lined the street. For no small charge, we could park for up to an hour. Woo-hoo! Some rare spots said we could park for 2 hours-still not good enough; the concert was 3 hours, plus unpacking and packing up time, and walking to the car time. We couldn't even find a lot!
Finally, my husband and I relented and parked in a grocery store parking lot about a block up from the concert site because all the other parents and the music director were parking there. 5 cars with PA plates lined the fence facing foreboding signs that said in no uncertain terms that our cars would be towed if we were there for any other reason but to grocery shop. Of course the men all chuckled and said, "We'll all go down together". I did not see strength in numbers; I saw a Boston two truck driver laughing manically as he made 5 trips back and forth to hook up 5 cars with PA plates, and bellowing, "These people are SO SCREWED!!!"
So, one of the other moms and I decided that honesty was the best policy. We timidly approached a clerk in the grocery store and asked him to please not tow us. "We're from Pennsylvania. Our kids are doing a concert up the street. Could you please not have us towed?" The clerk called back to the store manager and answered back, "As long as you're out by 9." Whew! We were good to go! I sat through 3 hours of kids playing cover tunes with other kids from Boston, practically biting my nails, envisioning Mr. Boston Store Manager calling Mr. Boston Tow Truck Driver, and saying, "Guess what I told these out-of-towners!" Alas, in the end, all was well. All 5 of our cars were still parked, right where we left them when the concert was over, and my faith in the kindess of strangers was renewed.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Top 10 Things NOT to say to a vegetarian
1. You need protein!
2. What's in this?
3. So, do you eat like a lot of tofu?
4. I'm guess I'll be brave and try this.
5.What about your kids?
6. I could NEVER give up meat!
7. You should have seen the size of pig on that rotisserie!
8. You know what would be good in this vegetable soup-a big old ham bone!
9. It's just pepperoni.
10. Don't you get a lot of gas from eating all those beans?
2. What's in this?
3. So, do you eat like a lot of tofu?
4. I'm guess I'll be brave and try this.
5.What about your kids?
6. I could NEVER give up meat!
7. You should have seen the size of pig on that rotisserie!
8. You know what would be good in this vegetable soup-a big old ham bone!
9. It's just pepperoni.
10. Don't you get a lot of gas from eating all those beans?
Blame Godlessness
An editorial today in The Oregonian:
Blame godlessness
I could not help but notice all the coverage about the downtown shooting. All this coverage got me thinking -- the shooting was just a symptom of a much bigger problem. America lacks God.
America was once a godly nation. Times were better. People were safer. However, we have stepped away from God. We have let humanist views slip into our lifestyles. This absence of God was one cause of the downtown shooting.
The young shooter did not know the God that I know. He was probably taught about evolution. He was probably influenced by atheism. This lack of God leads to dangerous things that even the strictest laws cannot prevent.
More gun laws may be a result of the shooting. Fewer gun laws may be a result. Whatever happens, we should consider adding God back to our lives.
RUSSELL MATHEWS Milwaukie
My editorial response sent to The Oregonian:
This is a response to the editorial Blame Godlessness written by Russell Matthews.It's easy to make accusations such as that which Mr. Matthews has made, blaming humanists, atheists, and evolution for violence. However, I notice that Mr. Matthews cites no proven correlation between violence and any of these. The fact is that the USA is the most religious industrialized nation in the world, with the highest rate of violent crime. In my opinion, too many people assume they have brought their children up with morals because they have raised them on religion. The problem is that these people don't teach children to THINK and evaluate the real human consequences of their actions, but focus more on how displeasing things are to God. Instead of focusing on the Golden Rule, which is universal, religions get caught up in petty issues such as gay marriage, pre-marital sex, and "dangerous" movies, books, and music. Where are the lessons on valuing human worth for the inherent dignity of being human? Where is the lesson that hurting people is just wrong, not something one can just confess, be forgiven of, and walk away with a clean slate? Mr. Matthews, I am an atheist and a humanist, who supports evolution, and I am raising thinking, feeling children, who instills morals and ethics in her children, and teaches them not to make generalizations and look for scape-goats, but to make the world a better place from having them in it.
Blame godlessness
I could not help but notice all the coverage about the downtown shooting. All this coverage got me thinking -- the shooting was just a symptom of a much bigger problem. America lacks God.
America was once a godly nation. Times were better. People were safer. However, we have stepped away from God. We have let humanist views slip into our lifestyles. This absence of God was one cause of the downtown shooting.
The young shooter did not know the God that I know. He was probably taught about evolution. He was probably influenced by atheism. This lack of God leads to dangerous things that even the strictest laws cannot prevent.
More gun laws may be a result of the shooting. Fewer gun laws may be a result. Whatever happens, we should consider adding God back to our lives.
RUSSELL MATHEWS Milwaukie
My editorial response sent to The Oregonian:
This is a response to the editorial Blame Godlessness written by Russell Matthews.It's easy to make accusations such as that which Mr. Matthews has made, blaming humanists, atheists, and evolution for violence. However, I notice that Mr. Matthews cites no proven correlation between violence and any of these. The fact is that the USA is the most religious industrialized nation in the world, with the highest rate of violent crime. In my opinion, too many people assume they have brought their children up with morals because they have raised them on religion. The problem is that these people don't teach children to THINK and evaluate the real human consequences of their actions, but focus more on how displeasing things are to God. Instead of focusing on the Golden Rule, which is universal, religions get caught up in petty issues such as gay marriage, pre-marital sex, and "dangerous" movies, books, and music. Where are the lessons on valuing human worth for the inherent dignity of being human? Where is the lesson that hurting people is just wrong, not something one can just confess, be forgiven of, and walk away with a clean slate? Mr. Matthews, I am an atheist and a humanist, who supports evolution, and I am raising thinking, feeling children, who instills morals and ethics in her children, and teaches them not to make generalizations and look for scape-goats, but to make the world a better place from having them in it.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
What an atheist is
It befuddles me that in this day an age, there are still people that don't know what an atheist is. I mean, I thought we were living in the information age? Aren't we the ones all over the news with our frivolous lawsuits and waging war on Christmas? Well, maybe that's some other atheists but that's not me. Anyway, here is a short summary of what an atheist is and isn't.
The prefix A basically means "not". Theist is defined as one who subscribes to the belief that there is a god. Put the two together and an atheist is one who does not believe in a god, or gods.
On a side note, when one is referring to a god in general, one uses a lower-case G. God with a capital G is a name. It is the name of the Judeo/Christian god, who claims to be the one and only. It also seems to be the name of choice for the ambiguous God of agnostics and deists.
Atheists do not share a common belief system or creed. They don't have worship meetings. Some have polticial meetings. Some don't.
Atheists do not worship the devil. The devil is a figure made up by men who needed a villian to make the whole God story work. If we worshipped the devil, then he'd be our god, and once again, atheist-no gods.
Atheists do have morals, or they don't. It's really an individual thing. One does not need a religion to be moral, and one is not moral simply because he is religious. Our source of morals are varied, from our own conscience, to our upbringing, to the collective conscience of society. An atheist uses logic and reason as a base for morals and ethics.
Atheists are not all mad at God. Some might be, but not all are. I'm not. I can't be mad at something I don't even believe in. I am somewhat pissed at some of God's followers though.
Atheists generally do not believe in the supernatural. But some atheists do believe in aliens or ghosts, and things of that nature. Or they leave open the possibility of the existence of such. Some are skeptical, and some are not. It's that simple. Atheists are as varied as the people that adhere to any other shared belief.
The prefix A basically means "not". Theist is defined as one who subscribes to the belief that there is a god. Put the two together and an atheist is one who does not believe in a god, or gods.
On a side note, when one is referring to a god in general, one uses a lower-case G. God with a capital G is a name. It is the name of the Judeo/Christian god, who claims to be the one and only. It also seems to be the name of choice for the ambiguous God of agnostics and deists.
Atheists do not share a common belief system or creed. They don't have worship meetings. Some have polticial meetings. Some don't.
Atheists do not worship the devil. The devil is a figure made up by men who needed a villian to make the whole God story work. If we worshipped the devil, then he'd be our god, and once again, atheist-no gods.
Atheists do have morals, or they don't. It's really an individual thing. One does not need a religion to be moral, and one is not moral simply because he is religious. Our source of morals are varied, from our own conscience, to our upbringing, to the collective conscience of society. An atheist uses logic and reason as a base for morals and ethics.
Atheists are not all mad at God. Some might be, but not all are. I'm not. I can't be mad at something I don't even believe in. I am somewhat pissed at some of God's followers though.
Atheists generally do not believe in the supernatural. But some atheists do believe in aliens or ghosts, and things of that nature. Or they leave open the possibility of the existence of such. Some are skeptical, and some are not. It's that simple. Atheists are as varied as the people that adhere to any other shared belief.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
The Sanctity of Marriage-My Propositions
Since we in the USA are now preserving the sanctity of marriage and the moral fiber of the US through majority vote, I have a few propositions to make. These are all based on sound Biblical principles-of course:
Proposition A
Only a marriage between a believer and a believer will be valid in the USA.
2 Cor. 6:14-15
Proposition B
All marriages are permanent.
Genesis 2:24
Proposition C
A husband can divorce his wife, if he bought her from her father, but if she no longer pleases him. and her father or close kinsman can buy her back, he may sell her. The husband also has the option of giving his wife to his son, in which case she then becomes the original husband's daughter. Or if the husband marries another wife, and fails to maintain his first wife's standard of living and previous sexual activity, she is free to divorce him.
Exodus 21:7-11
Proposition D
A husband may also divorce his wife, if he obtained her as a prisoner of war, and is not sexually satisfied with her after one month's time.
Deuteronomy 21:10-14
Proposition E
Divorce is to be forced for all those who have married foreign wives.
Ezra 10:1-16, Nehemiah 13:23-30
Proposition F
If a woman divorces, and remarries, she may not go back to her first husband.
Jeremiah 3:1
Proposition G
If one spouse can prove adultery he/she may get a divorce and remarry.
Matthew 5:31-32, Matthew 19:3-9
Proposition H
No divorce is permitted.
Mark 10:2-12
Proposition I
No remarriage is permitted.
Luke 16:18
Proposition J
No wife may leave her husband, but if she does she must remain unmarried, or reconcile with her husband, and no husband may leave his wife. A Christian who is married to a non-Christian who is happy with him/her may not divorce him/her. But if the unbeliever leaves, then a divorce is allowed.
Of course I realize that some of these propositions contradict each other. One can only guess what God's true will is. This is why we will vote-so the majority can decide what the right thing for ALL AMERICANS is, and preserve the sanctity of marriage.
Proposition A
Only a marriage between a believer and a believer will be valid in the USA.
2 Cor. 6:14-15
Proposition B
All marriages are permanent.
Genesis 2:24
Proposition C
A husband can divorce his wife, if he bought her from her father, but if she no longer pleases him. and her father or close kinsman can buy her back, he may sell her. The husband also has the option of giving his wife to his son, in which case she then becomes the original husband's daughter. Or if the husband marries another wife, and fails to maintain his first wife's standard of living and previous sexual activity, she is free to divorce him.
Exodus 21:7-11
Proposition D
A husband may also divorce his wife, if he obtained her as a prisoner of war, and is not sexually satisfied with her after one month's time.
Deuteronomy 21:10-14
Proposition E
Divorce is to be forced for all those who have married foreign wives.
Ezra 10:1-16, Nehemiah 13:23-30
Proposition F
If a woman divorces, and remarries, she may not go back to her first husband.
Jeremiah 3:1
Proposition G
If one spouse can prove adultery he/she may get a divorce and remarry.
Matthew 5:31-32, Matthew 19:3-9
Proposition H
No divorce is permitted.
Mark 10:2-12
Proposition I
No remarriage is permitted.
Luke 16:18
Proposition J
No wife may leave her husband, but if she does she must remain unmarried, or reconcile with her husband, and no husband may leave his wife. A Christian who is married to a non-Christian who is happy with him/her may not divorce him/her. But if the unbeliever leaves, then a divorce is allowed.
Of course I realize that some of these propositions contradict each other. One can only guess what God's true will is. This is why we will vote-so the majority can decide what the right thing for ALL AMERICANS is, and preserve the sanctity of marriage.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
So our society has a lot of problems, what else is new? You don't like things the way they are-then change them. You can sit around pointing fingers, judging and whining, or you can get up off your booty and make a difference in this world.
You can start by voting. That's the least you can do-you know actually make some choices about the people that are running your town, state, and country, instead of bitching about how they're screwing them up.Even better, you can get involved in the campaigns. You can get involved in the issues. Do you even know what the issues are? They're not some slogan du-jour, that come and go. They are the things that shape our lives, even if you think they never will. You know something is just terribly messed up in this country if keeping gays from getting married, is the primary issue anywhere.Ever wonder how it gets to this point?
Health care, energy, education, take your pick; there are plenty of good issues and causes to get involved with. And the great thing is, you don't just have to get involved politically, you can actually make some changes with your own two hands and mind! Volunteer, donate, organize-be part of the solution. Anybody can gripe about the problems, but if you don't move off your couch, then you're part of them.
Now is the time for action. Now is your chance to change your community, make the world a better place, and leave your legacy. Reach out to your fellow man-and woman, and even the little critters that need you on this planet. You'll feel good about yourself, meet other dedicated and giving people, and reap immeasurable rewards.
You can start by voting. That's the least you can do-you know actually make some choices about the people that are running your town, state, and country, instead of bitching about how they're screwing them up.Even better, you can get involved in the campaigns. You can get involved in the issues. Do you even know what the issues are? They're not some slogan du-jour, that come and go. They are the things that shape our lives, even if you think they never will. You know something is just terribly messed up in this country if keeping gays from getting married, is the primary issue anywhere.Ever wonder how it gets to this point?
Health care, energy, education, take your pick; there are plenty of good issues and causes to get involved with. And the great thing is, you don't just have to get involved politically, you can actually make some changes with your own two hands and mind! Volunteer, donate, organize-be part of the solution. Anybody can gripe about the problems, but if you don't move off your couch, then you're part of them.
Now is the time for action. Now is your chance to change your community, make the world a better place, and leave your legacy. Reach out to your fellow man-and woman, and even the little critters that need you on this planet. You'll feel good about yourself, meet other dedicated and giving people, and reap immeasurable rewards.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
10 Ways to Save Money in These Trying Times
1. Cut back the cable. Yes, I know this seems like a very simple idea, but many of us have forgotten that those sitcoms, dramas, and sports games we enjoy so much are beamed to our television at a quite a high price. Lest you suffer from boredom, you can substitue with Netflix. Their plans are extremely reasonable, and you can even watch movies online any time you wish.
2. Turn it off, switch it out, and unplug. Look around your house right now. How many lights do you have on? Is the TV talking to the dust bunnies? Get the kids involved by appointing them energy rangers. It'll make them feel important and teach them to be responsible. Switch to compact fluorescents. Yes, they have mercury in them, so does tuna fish, learn proper handling and disposal, and move on. Finally if it's not in use, unplug it. Most of our home energy costs come from appliances and electronics that are not in use, but sucking up electricity.
3. Consider going meatless, at least one night a week to start out. There are so many things one can do with beans, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, rice, and veggies. Really, my family hasn't eaten meat for 3 months now, and we really don't miss it like we thought we would.
4. Turn down the heat, turn down the water heater, and wash clothes in cold water. Bump it down a little each week; you will adjust.
5. Forget coupons. Really? Yes, really! Most coupons are for high priced convenience food which costs more in the long run. Learn how to cook with real food, and you'll feel better, and get more for your money.
6. Make a day out of perusing the thrift stores. Sometimes you can find brand new items for a few dollars. It can be your own private treasure hunt.
7. A dollar here a dollar there-slow down, ask yourself, "Do I really need this?" How much satisfaction will you get from having this new item? If you don't buy it, will you even be thinking about it in a few days?
8. Freecycle-check it out. I got an entire stash of diapers, actually enough for two babies from generous moms who wanted to share the love. Don't forget to list all your unused household items to give back.
9. Tune up that car and make sure the tires are properly inflated! Also, if you have a mini-van with removable seats, as I have, consider removing the back row if you don't need it every day. Taking out the extra weight can really save on gas. Coast to the red lights, never mind the guy behind you; you're helping him save money too!
10. Make your own pizza. It's super easy, fun, and you can experiment with all sorts of toppings. It's also a great way to get rid of leftovers! Just chop and layer.
Basic crust:
1 cup Bisquick
pinch of yeast
warm water
Mix this up till it resembles cake batter
now put in
1 cup of wheat flour and knead, then roll with a rolling pin. I like to make it rectangular and put it on a cookie sheet.
top with canned or fresh tomatoes, or sauce, seasoning, and cheese, then throw on your toppings
bake for 20 minutes
Enjoy!
2. Turn it off, switch it out, and unplug. Look around your house right now. How many lights do you have on? Is the TV talking to the dust bunnies? Get the kids involved by appointing them energy rangers. It'll make them feel important and teach them to be responsible. Switch to compact fluorescents. Yes, they have mercury in them, so does tuna fish, learn proper handling and disposal, and move on. Finally if it's not in use, unplug it. Most of our home energy costs come from appliances and electronics that are not in use, but sucking up electricity.
3. Consider going meatless, at least one night a week to start out. There are so many things one can do with beans, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, rice, and veggies. Really, my family hasn't eaten meat for 3 months now, and we really don't miss it like we thought we would.
4. Turn down the heat, turn down the water heater, and wash clothes in cold water. Bump it down a little each week; you will adjust.
5. Forget coupons. Really? Yes, really! Most coupons are for high priced convenience food which costs more in the long run. Learn how to cook with real food, and you'll feel better, and get more for your money.
6. Make a day out of perusing the thrift stores. Sometimes you can find brand new items for a few dollars. It can be your own private treasure hunt.
7. A dollar here a dollar there-slow down, ask yourself, "Do I really need this?" How much satisfaction will you get from having this new item? If you don't buy it, will you even be thinking about it in a few days?
8. Freecycle-check it out. I got an entire stash of diapers, actually enough for two babies from generous moms who wanted to share the love. Don't forget to list all your unused household items to give back.
9. Tune up that car and make sure the tires are properly inflated! Also, if you have a mini-van with removable seats, as I have, consider removing the back row if you don't need it every day. Taking out the extra weight can really save on gas. Coast to the red lights, never mind the guy behind you; you're helping him save money too!
10. Make your own pizza. It's super easy, fun, and you can experiment with all sorts of toppings. It's also a great way to get rid of leftovers! Just chop and layer.
Basic crust:
1 cup Bisquick
pinch of yeast
warm water
Mix this up till it resembles cake batter
now put in
1 cup of wheat flour and knead, then roll with a rolling pin. I like to make it rectangular and put it on a cookie sheet.
top with canned or fresh tomatoes, or sauce, seasoning, and cheese, then throw on your toppings
bake for 20 minutes
Enjoy!
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